General manager Erik Soler said the team decided to go in a different direction in announcing the dismissals from coach Hans Backe’s staff.

Williams was entering his sixth year with the Red Bulls as an assistant. He twice served as interim coach, first after Mo Johnston was fired in the 2006 season and also in 2009 after Juan Carlos Osorio resigned on Aug. 21. Williams also played as a midfielder with New York in 2001 and 2003.

McAleenan was in his 11th season as the team’s goalkeeper coach. During his tenure years, he has tutored U.S. national team goalkeepers Tim Howard, Jonny Walker, Zach Wells and Tony Meola.

The firings leave Jan Halvor Halvorsen as the only assistant. He joined the team in January after a career as a player and manager in Europe.